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Welcome to the final week of the NBA regular season! With only a few games left to play, teams are looking to either gain momentum heading into the postseason or feel better about themselves on their way to the beginning of a long offseason. Fortunately, both the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat have playoff aspirations on their mind in their final regular-season matchup against one another on Tuesday evening in the Sunshine State. Let's shift the focus to our NBA odds series, where our Hornets-Heat prediction and pick will be unveiled.
After recently clinching a play-in berth, the Hornets come into their battle with the Heat trying to fine-tune their game before the postseason officially starts. Charlotte sits two games above .500 at 40-38, only one game back of the Hawks at the eight-slot and are tied with the Brooklyn Nets for ninth place in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
The Hornets are fresh off a 30-point shellacking at the hands of the 76ers in which Charlotte saw themselves get royally dominated 144-114.
As for Miami, the Heat enter their 80th game with a four-game winning streak that saw them overpower the likes of Sacramento, Boston, Chicago, and Toronto in that order. The recent skid of success has pushed Miami to the brink of capturing home-court advantage throughout the entire Eastern Conference playoffs, an advantage that should prove to be a valuable asset since the Heat have handled their business at FTX Arena with an impressive record of 27-12.
Here are the Hornets-Heat NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Hornets-Heat Odds
Charlotte Hornets: +5.5 (-110)
Miami Heat: -5.5 (-110)
Over: 227 (-112)
Under: 227 (-108)
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Why The Hornets Could Cover the Spread
For starters, the Hornets have come away empty-handed versus the Heat during the 2021-2022 regular season, as they're 0-3 against their Southeast Division rivals. In order for Charlotte to get on the board in a road game at Miami, the Hornets will need to take advantage of their full-strength roster that currently has no injuries to speak of. Getting healthy at just the right time will be a major factor for Charlotte down the stretch and well into the playoffs.
Even with the Hornets getting obliterated in their latest matchup versus the Sixers, Charlotte possesses the eight-best rated offense in the NBA, as they aren't afraid to put up the points in a hurry with their 114.8 PPG. The Hornets can get hot from downtown when clicking on all cylinders, as they will need to connect on a few threes to down the Heat who have won all three games of this matchup this season by a margin of 12 points.
Not only does Charlotte need to shoot the rock efficiently, but be on the lookout in the Hornets' ability to get up and down the court at a feverish rate. The ninth-best squad in the east is prolific in transition with 16.8% of their makes coming from fast-break scores, good for third in the entire league It is vital for Charlotte to force turnovers on defense and to put Miami on its heels by pushing the ball whenever it is necessary.
Why The Heat Could Cover the Spread
For more than a few seasons now, the Miami Heat have proven to the rest of the basketball world that they are one of the more consistent contenders in the Eastern Conference. The Heat's 51-28 overall record is not only an extraordinary feat, but it is the way that Miami puts teams in their graves that separates them from the rest of the pack. Miami no doubt has a sense of familiarity with this Hornets squad, and that should come to be an advantage for a Heat team that has shot the ball with efficiency versus Charlotte this season.
Not to mention, the Heat have gone 3-0 against their division combatants with a core member usually sitting out due to injury, something that Miami should take pride in finding ways to win, especially in today's NBA day-in-age of star players being absent more often than not. This should be the case yet again this evening, as the Heat currently have six players that are questionable prior to tip-off.
In order for the Heat to continue their triumphant ways in the win column on Tuesday, expect Miami to flourish with the deep ball of their own. The Heat lead the entire league in three-point percentage at 37.7%. Obviously, there is no question Miami is an older team. Believe it or not, they have still shown their proficiency after at least one day of rest, compiling a 10-4-1 record against the spread in their previous 15 matchups under that category.
Final Hornets-Heat Prediction & Pick
This one is ultimately a tricky selection to make, especially with many key players' availability up in the air in Miami's locker room. In conclusion, this matchup comes down to which side wants it more. Both squads are already on track for postseason play, but the Hornets would love to avoid playing in the dreaded 9th place vs 10th place elimination game, and it wouldn't be shocking if Charlotte plays with a sense of urgency on Tuesday night. It is very difficult to beat a team four times in one season, and the Hornets generally play rather well on the road for a younger bunch. Charlotte displays their grit and covers the spread versus the mighty Miami Heat.
Final Hornets-Heat Prediction & Pick: Hornets +5.5 (-110)
